Covering for steam pipes



(No Model.)

0. OBER.V

GVERING FOR STEAM PIPBS. Y No. 360,782. Patented Apr. 5, 1887.

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N. PETERS Photo-lirvgrlpben Wishingm D. C. Y

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

, OLIVER OBER, OF LOVELL, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF TVO-THIRDS TO C. H. ALLEN AND J. S. LUDLAM, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

COVERING FOR STEAM-PIPES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 360.732, dated April 5, 1887.

Application filed February 3, 1887. Serial No. 226,389. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER OBER, of Lowell, in the State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Coverings for Steam-Pipes and other Bodies, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is directed to a covering intended more particularly for steam-pipes, but which also may be used to sheath or jacket other bodies.

It has been my object to obtain a covering very much cheaper than the asbestus and other similar coverings now extensively used to protect steam-pipes, one which can be more conveniently and readily applied, and which will permit more ready access to be had to the pipes than has heretofore been usual. To this end I combine with the steam-pipe a'sheath or 'covering of wooden lags, which extend lengthwise of the pipe, and skeleton supporting-frames, which surround the pipeat intervals, and are so formed as to bear or rest against the pipe on their inner edge, and on their outer edge to furnish a series of bearings,lon which the lags are supported and rest. I also employ some 4means-as, for instauce,an encircling hoopor hoops-to bind or fasten the lags inplace-upon their skeleton supportingframes; and these hoops may be so constructed and arranged as tobe tightened, and thus to take up any shrinkage in the wooden lags. The skeleton framework I prefer toconstruct of hoop-iron, such as is used on cotton-bales, and which is found in quantities at cottonmills. This material, which is cheap and, af-

ter being stripped from the bales, is virtually a Waste product and disposed of usually as scrap-iron, is Well adapted for the purpose I have in View. It can be readily bent in such manner (as will be hereinafter moreparticularly described) that from a single strip there can be formed a skeleton frame-work flexible, so that it can be bent around or upon a steampipe or other body, and furnishing upon its outer edge a series of bearings, upon which the Wooden lags cau readily be assembled in the form of a covering.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a part of la steam-pipe provided with my improved covering. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same. Fig. 3 is a view of the skeleton framework made of hoopiron bent into the form indicated-that is to say, into a series of loops the bights of which are broadened and fiattened, so as to furnish the requisite bearings for the Wooden lags.

A is the steam-pipe, (typical of any body to which the covering may be applied.) B is the skeleton frame. C are the wooden lags. D is a binding-hoop encircling the lags and typical of any suitable means or device for holding the lags in place.

The frame B is :made of hoop-iron, which is preliminarily bent into the form indicated in Fig. 3, consisting of a series of connected loops whose bights are broadened and flattened, as indicated at a, to furnish bearings for the lags, each part a being of' size and dimension to furnish a bearing for one lag.

In applying the covering to the steam-pipe the hoop -iron, preliminarily bent into the shape indicated in Fig. 3, is taken in lengths sufficient to encircle wholl y, or nearly so, the pipe. These lengths are then applied to the pipe at suitable intervals apart, and the abutting ends `of each are or may be secured together. The lags are then fitted upon the skeleton frames, taking their bearing upon the faces c, and closely surrounding or covering the steanrpipe, and are then secured by binding-hoops D or other'suitable means. There is thus formed a covering consisting of wooden lags separated from the steamipipe by an airspace, which affords ample protection to the pipe from the effect of cold. y

It will be noted that not only can the covering be easily, quickly, and cheaply applied, but also that it can be just as easily removed and replaced whenever necessary, either for the purpose of repairing the pipe or the cov ering or for any other purpose.'

Having described my invention and the best Way now known to me of carrying the same into effect, I state, in conclusion, that I do not broadly claim the combination with the object to be covered and a covering therefor of corrugated metal strips interposed between the two; but

That I Claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination of the steam-pipe7 the Wooden lags covering or surrounding` the same, and the flexible skeleton frzune interposed between said pipe and lags, bearing at its inner A edge upon the pipe and furnishing upon its outer edge bearings for the lags, as and for the purposes hereinbefoi'e set forth.

2. The Combination oi' the steanrpipe, the wooden lags, and the skeleton framework in- 

